Watermelon in December

We were at Costco the other day, when Olivia spied some watermelon. As huge fans of it at our house, I decided to overlook the ridiculous price (it is December) and grant Olivia her request.

Without a skipping a beat, we cut up the watermelon as soon as we got home. I was afraid it wouldn't taste as sweet as it does in the summer , but was pleasantly surprised how delicious it tasted. (Was it actually sweet, or was it because it was December and we were eating watermelon..?)


Watermelon in December = Happiness.

Speaking of happiness, can you believe it's Christmas this weekend? Here we go!

We've been visiting with great friends and and looking forward to spending time with family. Is there anything better? Holidays + Family = Perfection.

Sunshine and lovely weather also make happy. We had the best snowy day two days ago. The morning sky was overcast as the clouds threatened snow. By early afternoon it was snowing. It was beautiful. We watched outside as we sat in our cozy home with not a place we had to be.

With kids home on break, I've found my patience to be fairly thin. Shocking, I know ;). But when we can calm down and relax and little more, I sure enjoy watching them interact. All at different levels of learning, but growing and striving. You know what's weird? Henry is our oldest child without being pregnant again. It feels so strange, but so liberating at the same time. He's our baby. (And he certainly milks it!) The thought of our family feeling complete makes me sublimely happy.

And a bit off topic, but still makes me very happy, this little chair. More than the chair though, this fabric. I love it. It certainly makes me happy.

Bringing in the Christmas Cheer

Winter has come.

With frigid temperatures (not unusual for Colorado, but about a month early, brrr) and snow, help make it feel Christmas-y.

Sunday night, we pulled out our tree and began the festivities. However, when half the lights didn’t light up on our pre-lit tree, we met a serious GRUMPELSTILTSKIN. Me. I had to stop as I started getting after the kids. One may think this wouldn’t have bothered them, but I was so grouchy.

The kids still danced around and started dressing the tree- obviously understanding the Spirit of Christmas more than their mother. I had to take a time-out.

My mom happened to call me the next day and I expressed my woes (my lifeless, lightless tree) to her. She informed of a sweet little gadget that could make my troubles disappear. The following day I went and made my purchase.

While it brought a few branches back to life (yay!), I still didn’t have the patience to replace about 100 little bulbs. Instead, I wimped out and just strung another set of lights around the remaining branches. As magically as the tree looked all lit up, my mood was incredibly better as well.

Just yesterday, I (re)decorated the tree and pulled out most of our Christmas décor. It’s amazing how much my mood has lifted and how the Spirit of Christmas is filling our home.

In fact, just this morning:

Kaycee: Mom, you don’t look old. Lucy chiming in: yeah, you don’t look old. Me: oh yeah? (who said anything about old?? where’s this coming from??) Kaycee: you just look like an older sister. Me: Thanks…

I smiled. Is this because I turn 31 in less than 24 hours…? or are we trying to butter up Mom for Christmas….

Either way, I guess I’ll be happy looking like the ‘older sister’ (in my children's eyes) and enjoy bringing in the Christmas cheer.

Halloween 2011

I don't think I've disliked Halloween so much as I did this year.
I was not feelin it.
I'm so grateful it's over.

The kids had a great time at the trunk-or-treat, their class parties and trick-or-treating.
I took them out last night too (as opposed to Ryan) for the first time in years.
I was festive too.
I wore my wedding dress. And veil.
I'm happy that after 7 babies, I can zip it up.
And for the record, I didn't have to wear a coat.
For the first time IN MY LIFE on Halloween.
I remember walking thru a blizzard once as a kid.
We didn't get much candy that year.

Olivia ran down every driveway saying "Did you hear me say Thank You, Mom?"
Lucy was walking slower and slower withering away from thirst.
(I became one of those moms. Buck up. Get your candy.)
Kaycee was always first up to the door and ringing the door bell.
Clay is too cool for school sometimes and this was no exception, but I appreciated his gratitude.
Rylee was so helpful making sure Olivia made it to the door.

It was a good night.

(A mermaid, (hunter changed) robber, (Dorothy changed) unicorn, Cleopatra, Alice, and King Henry)

So here's to you, Halloween 2011.
May your candy disappear quickly so I don't scream picking up wrappers.
And may Henry's sticky fingers not ruin the new white quilt.
(for a room, I'm so excited to show you! when it's done.)

Heart Run

I thought it would be fun to watch the kids do their mile runs. I thought it would be even more fun to run with them. But, then I remembered how much I dislike running – even at a child’s pace (hence, also not having a double jog stroller). Not up for running 3.5 miles that morning, I charmed Ryan into coming. And running.

The kids and Ryan rocked it. Everyone ran the whole mile (Lucy did .5)and all came in the first few in their classes.

Definitely a fun run day. Right, Ryan?

Breakfast with Dad

Swim Team 2011

Another successful season with the Blue Fins - including Lucy who competed this year!
I'm amazed at how much our kids improved, not only from last year, but from the beginning of the season to the end.
They did things a little differently than last year with the youngest group, Lucy's group, the Minnows.
They actually had them swimming laps along with learning strokes.
Lucy went from swimming in the arms of the coaches, to swimming - stopping along the lane ropes, to swimming the whole length of the pool without grabbing the rope!
We are ecstatic.
Rylee, Clay, Kaycee, and Lucy really pushed themselves developing technique and competing in new categories.
Kaycee swam right along side with the older group and really held her own.
Clay has mastered the breaststroke which took him to the League Championships - he placed 7th!
Rylee rocked the butterfly in her 100 Individual Medley - beautiful form.

We love swimming and look forward to next year!

Our bed-head family (okay, just mine) at Championships

Can We Start Over?

I'd like to start this morning over again.

Henry's super congested = he slept terribly last night
No sleep for baby = no sleep for mom
No sleep for mom = grumpy mom
Ryan left for work around 7:30am (on a Saturday) = grumpy mom
A kind reminder that he has a 5 hour meeting this afternoon = grumpy mom
I heard the Wii start up this morning = kids immediately fighting and whining
Kids fighting and whining = grumpy mom
I'm still in bed with Henry = kids getting their own breakfast
Kids getting their own breakfast = a new gallon of milk dropped in the kitchen
Milk dropped = milk all over the floor, under the fridge and under our walls...
Milk everywhere = grumpy mom crying over spilled milk

It's going to be one of those days.

What to Blog About . . .

. . . when it doesn't feel like there's much to blog about . . . Let's see . . .

We rang in the New Year over at the Hunts with good food and games. In the night, poor Lucy threw up all over herself - twice. Fun. Between Henry and Lucy waking in the night, I didn't get to sleep until about 7:30am and then I had the barfies, too. Ryan's stomach was queasy all New Years day and we skipped out on Church on Sunday. We just waited for more to fall, but thankfully no one else did. And would you believe there were a couple bright sides to being sick? I was able to stay in bed and be sick for TWO days - thanks to a fabulous, responsible, and helpful 9 year-old and husband. Moms rarely get to BE sick. It's usually business as usual but feeling awful. Another bright side was finishing our blog book for 2010! Yippee!

Clay earned his bobcat in scouts. To those of you with several sons or who work with the scouts, my hat's off to you. Holy cow. I find this whole scouting thing so intimidating. It makes me wonder too if they let non American citizens even work with Scouts...I'm hoping not. Isn't that awful?

I have an insatiable desire to re-decorate my house. From new colors and furniture, changing out the toss pillows to building a mantle for our fireplace. It was somewhat calmed the other day when I started moving furniture about in the living room. Stupid living room. There aren't really any good ways to mix it up. Dang it. Micki, will you come and decorate my house? I love her house. It's so calming, warm and inviting. It's no wonder her favorite part of vacation is when she gets home. How cool is that? I love that. I don't think I've ever felt that way. Ever.

We figured out a couple weeks ago that Miss Rylee has read over 3700 pages since August. Whoa. I'm pretty sure that's more that I've read in the past several years. Before Christmas, she finished the last book of the Percy Jackson series. Go Rylee.

If you ever get the chance to ride in our van - scratch that. You wouldn't fit in our van. Anyway, if you ever pass us in the car, we're probably rockin' out to this:

Our most favorite soundtrack ever. Have you seen this movie, yet? You must. L.O.V.E. it. I went and saw it with some girlfriends on my birthday and then over the Christmas break we took the kids to see it. (Thankfully we have some major hook-ups and were able to see if for free - it would have cost over $50 to take the fam. How ridiculous is that?).

I'm 3 weeks into Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. Holy killer work out. It gets easier though, well, until you move up a level. This week I started level 2 (I actually like level 2 better than level 1, Reece) and I'm pumped to see results. I'll hopefully move to level 3 mid week next week! After the 30 days then we'll talk training; Training for the Whidbey Island Triathlon. I know, crazy. I wanted to do a triathlon before I turned 30, but Ryan messed that up when he said "I think there's one more." But, right away, I knew he was right, and we sure love our sweet Henry. So this summer it's IT.

Speaking of sweet Henry, he's just a couple lbs shy of weighing more than Olivia. It's interesting having a tiny two year old and a big almost 6 mos old. I know, I can't believe he's almost 6 mos either. Dang it. Look at how cute he is, too.

Halloween & Movember 2010

The perks of Halloween 2010:

5 Bags of Candy (twice!)

and . . .

Not paying a dime for any costumes - thanks to my fabulous Mother! and our dress-ups.

Check out this looker!

I wish I could say this was Ryan's Halloween costume, but alas it wouldn't be November without Movember. So yes, I have to look at this man ALL month. While it's for a great cause, I say once he hits $1k in donations he needs to shave!

I think there should be donations for the wives if your
hubby's gonna look like this for a month!

Click here to go see Ryan's page.

They Make Me Laugh

It's always fun when Grandma comes - cause look what she can do!

One Sunday afternoon Ryan and I are talking about going to check on G&G's house (they were out of town).
Kaycee pipes up: Can we make ourselves dinner over there?

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Henry starts coughing.
Olivia yells: don't barf! (and grabs the burp cloth.)
Me: I don't think he spit up.
Olivia: Oh.
Henry starts coughing again.
Olivia: bless you, bless you.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Our chiropractor had been gone for just over a week in Zimbabwe. On his first day back, Clay jumps up on the table.

Clay: Where were you?
Dr. Kevin: I was in Africa!
Clay: You smell like it.

Fall 2010 - Kid Pics

After snapping hundreds (literally!) of photos over several days, here are my favorites.

Enjoy!

Miss Rylee

Clay Boy

Kaycee Ruth

Lucy Lu

Little O

Baby Henry

I must say that I am SO GLAD I didn't pay anyone to take the pictures of all the kids together. Not just because free is nice, or that I think I have skill even close to a good photographer, but because this was pure insanity. It was a chillier day and the kids were not jiving with the whole idea. It was hard trying to get good angles and get some decent shots, but after about 100 shots, these are my favorites.

And

Phew!

Thank to my amazing assistant for hauling the couch out and following my requests/orders.

Pictures for Grandma

A picture of the kids on (school) picture day.
(Lucy and Olivia didn't want to be left out of the shot.)

However, two days later, we did this to Kaycee and Lucy's hair.

And who could forget this little guy.
I swear he is bigger every morning when he wakes up.

He's 2 months today and I can't get enough of him.
Especially when he about turns him self inside out to give me this:

Couldn't you just eat him?!

And here's Miss Olivia painting this morning. (Can you tell she dressed herself today?)
She didn't paint for very long. I guess she got a little thirsty and started to drink her paint water. . .